Cuban boxer Yordenis Ugás took to Instagram to deliver a powerful critique of President Donald Trump's immigration policies, questioning the administration's claim of targeting only criminals, in light of the widespread detentions carried out by ICE.
"What happened to President Trump's promise to go after criminals and lawbreakers? Now, out of the 10,000 detained, most have no criminal records," Ugás wrote on social media.
The issue hit close to home for Ugás when he witnessed ICE agents detaining a group of hardworking individuals at his local car wash. He described these people as decent, law-abiding workers.
"All those infamous and inhumane jails filled with decent, hardworking people, with many profiting off the suffering of human beings," he lamented, highlighting the profit-driven nature of private detention centers.
Escalating ICE Operations
This criticism comes during a time of unprecedented ICE operations, which resulted in over 10,000 detentions within just five days at the end of June and beginning of July 2026, doubling the normal arrest rate, with a peak of 2,400 in a single day.
According to TRAC Immigration, an independent data analysis center from Syracuse University, more than 70% of those detained by ICE up to April 2026 had no prior criminal convictions.
These statistics starkly contrast with the Trump administration's narrative that deportations were focused on criminals.
A Message to the Cuban Exile Community
Ugás also addressed the Cuban exile community, reminding them that they too once left their homeland "chasing a dream" and benefited from the Cuban Adjustment Act, which historically eased the migration process for Cubans in the U.S.
"These people left their homes and countries pursuing a dream like you did, and if you're Cuban, you were fortunate to have a powerful law, which you likely didn't even respect," he candidly expressed.
He emphasized his solidarity with other migrants, despite differences: "But that doesn't lead me to say, 'They asked for it.'"
Ugás' Personal Journey
Ugás recounted his journey as a committed exile, having fled Cuba on a raft, enduring two days at sea, while consistently condemning the Cuban dictatorship.
"From day one, I've acted as an exile, condemning the dictatorship, speaking against it. As the best fighter of my generation in Cuba, I escaped on a raft for two days because of the dictatorship," he stated.
This is not Ugás' first public statement on the issue. In April 2025, he protested against the deportation of his mother, Heydi Sánchez Tejeda, who was detained in Tampa during a routine ICE check and deported to Cuba despite having no criminal history, separating her from her breastfeeding daughter and U.S. citizen husband.
Then, as now, he argued, "It was always said that criminals and lawbreakers would be targeted, not hardworking, decent people."
Ugás concluded his message with a poignant statement: "Our wine is bitter, but it's our wine."
Understanding Ugás' Critique on Trump's Immigration Actions
What is Yordenis Ugás' main criticism of Trump's immigration policy?
Ugás criticizes the discrepancy between Trump's promise to pursue criminals and the reality of mass detentions of non-criminal immigrants by ICE.
How does Ugás relate his personal experience to the immigration issue?
Ugás draws on his own journey as an exile from Cuba, having fled from the dictatorship, to empathize with and support other migrants facing similar struggles.
How prevalent are non-criminal detentions according to TRAC Immigration?
As of April 2026, more than 70% of individuals detained by ICE had no criminal convictions, highlighting a significant issue with the current detention practices.